A dirty little trick to slow down power players.

Okay, as a clay court specialist, I learned a lot of little things to drive the big flat hitters crazy. My coach, Lawson Duncan, taught me this one. He used it to beat Goran Ivanisevic 6-1, 6-1 at one of the big tournaments. I heard that Goran had a complete meltdown over this one too. Excellent way to slow the ball down.

Most tennis balls have tightly knit fuzz. Well, when they get wet (perspiration) and then are rubbed hard, they fluff out like crazy. They get huge and literally slow down incredibly. I used to take the ball when I was playing a big hitter or server and rub the ball on my forearms and forehead and then rub them really hard in my hands. They would get really big and totally slow down. They also would weigh more from the perspiration. This is great for topspin hitters as well as the strings can grab the ball better due to the fuzz sticking so far out. I can make a ball look absolutely crazy. It will also make your kick and slice serves have mega bite.

If it would be very noticeable in photos, you should do this to a new ball and take before & after photos. Then post it up here. It would be interesting to see this.

It is very noticeable. The ball develops an extreme afro. Give it a try. Don't use water. Use persperation as the oils and the salts make the fluid stick to the felt. It will make you laugh. If you plan on keeping the balls after the match, don't do it as it will really slow the ball down and make them big. Only good when you are playing someone who is knocking you off the court or someone you know who has a huge serve.

You know, I'm not sure, but I never went up to the umpire and rubbed the ball on my skin and fluffed it up. I would think not as it affects the ball for both players. I never got any flack about it except from upset opponents, but they weren't mad at me. They were just fussing about the ball being so fluffy.

Alright, who is gonna be a guinea pig for this? Come on guys and gals, call my bluff and test it for yourselves. Get the sweat going and then rub the ball across your skin so it absorbs the sweat. Then rough the surface up like a baseball pitcher does when he is trying to take the slickness off of a new baseball. Give it a run a see........

Pro T, ball change every 9 games, and they use 3 cans, meaning 9 balls, and the server gets to choose which ones they start the point with....
Any time your coach plays Goran, I'd take Goran to bagel your coach.

Pro T, ball change every 9 games, and they use 3 cans, meaning 9 balls, and the server gets to choose which ones they start the point with....
Any time your coach plays Goran, I'd take Goran to bagel your coach.

Actually my coach beat Goran 6-1, 6-1 at the Lipton Championships that year. Sorry, I'd take your money. I played professional tennis for 4 years captain. It works. I could easily destroy 9 balls in 2-3 games.